Fig. 69. Outline of a story-and-a-half house.
Fig. 70. Half pitch and an efficient collar-beam.
CHAPTER IX
BUILDING THE HOUSE, CONCLUDED.—OUTSIDE COVERING, PAINTING
That part of the house which of necessity must be exposed to the buffetings of snow and rain, wind and sun, should be considered more carefully than any other part except the foundation. If economy demands, the doors, floors, bath rooms, and wardrobes may be of plain and inexpensive material, for later they may be replaced when means justify additional expenditure; but if the outside covering be faulty, the house is a partial failure from the beginning.
The first principle to be observed is to place all projections intended to serve as water-tables at somewhat acute angles, for if placed at nearly right angles with the sides of the house, rains accompanied by heavy winds will certainly reach the framework. The water-tables which crown the top of the base-board are more exposed than those which are higher up, and therefore should be steep and rabbeted to prevent the water from reaching the sills. The too usual method is shown in [Fig. 71]. An enlarged view of a better style of water-table is shown in [Fig. 72].
Fig. 71. A faulty water-table.
Fig. 72. A good water-table.